Forgive/Forget?

Well, here it is Thanksgiving and I should be counting my blessings and thanking God for all He has provided for me. I do have many things to be thankful for and I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you Lord for all that you have provided for me. My needs are always met!

My dilemma is that we are going to my husband's sister's for Thanksgiving. Recently we lost my father in law to cancer. Here is a little background information. My husband and I started dating in 1984 and have been married for 20 years. I've been part of his family since 1985! I've always considered myself close to my in laws. I've done whatever I could, whenever I could. My husband lost his mother several years ago to cancer and we were extremly close. My father in law remarried and his wife is wonderful. The problem started after my father in law passed. When it came time to plan the service, my two sister in laws and husband was at the table. The preacher came in and then my mother in law just completely excused me by saying I could go down and watch television. Now, along with my mother in law came a step sister in law. I've been part of that family much longer than she has, but she was included in the planning. My husband (being a man as he is) didn't even realize that I was dismissed! I felt like an outsider for the first time in that family.

We agreed to go to Thanksgiving at my sister in laws and it was my understanding that my mother in law would be out of town at her daughters for Thanksgiving. Didn't hurt my feelings at all because I haven't gotten over how I was treated. Now, she will be with us at Thanksgiving and the closer it comes, the more apprehensive I become. It is all I can do not to back out of going.

I did a quick search of the Bible about forgiveness. I forgave my husband for not realizing that I was dismissed because most men probably wouldn't have noticed that. I'm not at the point of forgiving my mother in law yet. Not sure I really want to. This is not right and I know that. I have chosen not to bring this up because it is/was a time of mourning and emotions running wild. Bottom line is that even if I do forgive, I don't forget.

With God I can forgive many things and have over the past as all of you have. My lingering question is why does God forgive and forget our sins, and we as humans can forgive, but we don't forget. I wish God gave us the capability to forgive and forget as he does with our sins.

This is a situation that I'm committing to prayer because God is the only one that can give me the wisdom and desire to forgive.

There are many people out there with family issues. Remember these people in your prayers over the next couple of days and for that matter, through the first of the year. Holidays can be fun and happy, but for some it can be dismal and painful. We all need to turn to the Lord as ask for wisdom.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving!